Best Scholarships for Black Students in California

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Best Scholarships for Black Students in California

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 14 percent of all students enrolled were African American in 2016. This means that nearly 2 million black kids must pay university fees each year. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships available to African American students. The most frustrating and challenging aspect of earning a degree can be financing. Thankfully, financial aid programs and fellowships can assist students in alleviating the financial load of a school and allowing them to concentrate on their academics. Financial support can also contribute to the reduction of racial inequities and inequality in higher education. Black people made up less than 15% of college students, as per the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Scholarships for Black students can help diversify college and university classrooms and employment. As per the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 14 percent of all undergraduates were African American in 2016. This means that nearly 2 million black kids must pay university fees each year. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships available to African American students. Scholarships are an excellent opportunity for black students to finance their education and complete their degrees without any hassle. These are the top 10 scholarships for black students in California.

1. Faith Scholarship

FAITH has been honoring the educational achievement of future leaders in the Greek and Hellenic American community by providing merit-based grants to some of the society’s most outstanding finishing high school seniors from throughout the country every year since its beginning in 2004. FAITH Scholars join a network of over 600 current FAITH Scholars who exhibit the extraordinary intellectual brilliance acclaimed by our Hellenic forefathers, as well as a beautiful spirit of compassion, volunteer work, and responsible citizenship that is at the heart of their Orthodox Christian principles. Candidates must be graduating from a public, private, or parochial high school in the United States and planning to enroll in a 4-year recognized U.S. college or university in the fall of 2022 to pursue a bachelor‘s degree. Candidates must be members of a Greek Orthodox parish and the Greek Orthodox faith.

Provided By: Faith
Amount: 500 USD
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
Education: High School Graduate
Apply Now

2. Black at Microsoft Scholarship

Qualified students can receive up to $20,000 in college funding over four years through the Black at Microsoft Scholarship Program. To be eligible, you must be of African heritage and a high school senior intending to enroll in a university in the fall, succeeding your high school completion. Only engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or specific business degrees, such as banking or business management, are eligible for the award. To qualify, you must establish an economic need and submit two recommendation letters, two essays, a cv, and a photograph. This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for black students who want to work in the IT field. The scholarship is from one of the biggest tech companies globally and will surely be an asset to your resume. The scholarship sees thousands of articles every year and hence is very competitive. You will need outstanding grades and a firm profile to land this one. But if you do, you will get into the good books of almost all tech companies, and I will do wonders for your career too.

Provided By: Microsoft 
Amount: 20,000 USD
Education: High School Graduate
Deadline: Varies 
Apply Now

3. Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship

The Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship Program provides financial aid to African-American high school students who are the first in their families to attend college. Applicants must join a United Negro College Savings partner university to be eligible. Applicants can receive up to $12,222 in financial assistance concerning financial need, educational achievement, and a written essay. Enterprise’s charitable endeavors range from global philanthropic initiatives to community-focused activities as a charitable leader. In particular, Enterprise is committed to collaborating with local nonprofit organizations working on sustainability efforts and community development.

Provided By: Enterprise Holdings
Amount: Varies
Education: High School Students
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
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4. The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial

Tony Signore founded the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program after the Jesuits at Fordham University instilled in his knowledge, respect, and strong enthusiasm for Douglass in 1982. The Signore Family developed and sponsored the initiative to memorialize one of the country’s most prominent African American figures, providing financial support to outstanding young women and men attending historically black colleges and universities. Each year, two $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding HBCU seniors (one female and one male) who have exhibited excellent academic success, outstanding leadership abilities, a dedication to community service, and unmet financial need. As validated by a current transcript, it would help if you were a rising senior at a recognized public or private four-year HBCU with a minimum academic achievement of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. You’ll also have to show that you’re dedicated to community service.

Provided By: UNCF
Amount: 10,000 USD
Education: High School
Deadline: Varies
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5. Generation Google Scholarship

Students who meet the program’s minimum requirements are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those who recognize historically underrepresented groups in the technology sector, such as women, black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. For the 2021-2022 academic year, candidates are not needed to be engaged in an associate, bachelor, master, or Ph.D. program. The Generation Google Scholarship may be available to black students wanting to pursue careers in technology. This grant gives financial support of up to $10,000 to Black and African American students, women, Hispanic or Latino students, and representatives of other disadvantaged minorities in the field. For the 2022-2023 school year, selected candidates will earn USD 10,000 (for students who study in the United States) or CAD 5,000 (for students studying in Canada). The Generation Google Scholarship will be based on each candidate’s working framework, dedication to variety, equality, inclusion, and academic excellence.

Provided By: Google
Amount: 10,000 USD
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
Education: High School Graduate
Apply Now

6. KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity

The KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity is available to undergrad and graduate students who aim to concentrate on cybersecurity or information security. The awardees will receive up to $10,000 in educational expenditures and $3,000 in accommodation on campus. You must be Black or African American, have a 3.2 GPA, and consent to a Zoom interview to be considered. In addition, you must submit college transcripts, letters of reference, an essay, and a resume. According to the International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals, only 6% of African Americans work in STEM fields, compared to 11% of the US total. According to research from the Center and (ISC)2, minorities in the United States are under served in senior cybersecurity roles, and wage disparity is a problem. One method to begin bridging the gap is to provide scholarships to under served persons in this field.

Provided By: Knowbe4
Amount: 10,000 USD
Deadline: April 18th 
Education: High School
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7. Ron Brown Scholarship

The Ron Brown Scholarship Program offers intellectually qualified individuals the opportunity to win up to $40,000 throughout their college studies. The award is for Black and African American high school seniors from low-income families who want to work in the community. Two letters of reference, your SAT or ACT scores, an authentic record, and answers to essay writing are required to apply.

Provided By: Ron Brown
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
Education: High School
Apply Now

8. The Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship is for low-income, minority-group high school students. The scholarship is a last-dollar grant, which means it will cover all of your outstanding education expenses not paid by other sources of financial assistance or the projected family commitment as stated on your FAFSA. Students must plan to enroll full-time at an authorized four-year university. Students must be a senior in high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 to be eligible. Candidates should rank in the top 10% of their class and exhibit leadership abilities.

Provided By: The Gates Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
Education: High School
Apply Now

9. American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program

Undergraduate students from underrepresented communities who plan to study chemical sciences or chemistry-related fields can apply for the ACS Scholars Program, which offers renewable grants. Selected students may receive up to $5,000 per year, with the award renewable until graduation. To be eligible, you must be a senior in high school preparing to pursue higher education or a full-time college student. You must register as African-American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, or Native American. To qualify, provide college transcripts and two letters of recommendation with your request. After submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you must additionally attach a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) (FAFSA).

Provided By: ACS
Amount: 5000 USD
Deadline: March 1st
Education: High School Graduate
Apply Now

10. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Scholarships are available from the Jackie Robinson Foundation for Black high school students. Eligible students received up to $30,000 over four years to help pay for their education.

To be considered, you must be a senior in high school, a member of a marginalized group, show economic need, and have committed and loyal potential or civic participation. Students must provide copies of their standardized test scores, certificates, four essays, and recommendation letters with their application.

Provided By: Jackie Robinson Foundation
Amount: 30,000 USD
Deadline: Varies
Education: High School Graduate
Apply Now

About the author

Indu has been educator since last 10 years. She can find all kind of scholarship opportunities in the USA and beyond. She also teach college courses online to help students become better. She is one of the very rare scholarship administrator and her work is amazing.

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